The 10 Best Wireless Access Points in 2018

If you are looking for a solid way to increase the efficiency and productivity of your business in terms of Wi-Fi access as well as making your clients happy with the Internet services provided, then a powerful wireless device called an access point should be strongly considered. Because a typical router is not designed to handle the congestion created by many people looking to surf the Web at once you need a different solution. There are also some essential security settings required for keeping your users safe on a public access network.

Getting the right equipment to handle this job is not difficult, besides the router you’ve got at home you need to purchase an access point which will tremendously expand the wireless network from your business to reach more people with ease. That’s the basic idea behind a wireless access point but nowadays, these devices come with many advanced and intuitive functions to make your life easier and the competition is quite strong. Need a wireless adapter or maybe the best cable modem? Read my articles to find the ones that suit your needs best.

The market is flooded with so many different options that it becomes a hassle to sort out through them and find the right unit for you and your business. Thankfully, this article should shine some light on which are the best access points in terms of money spent and the value you get. No matter your budget, these access points are the best at striking the right balance between what they offer and what price they ask for.

Best Wireless Access Point for Home

Ubiquiti Networks is a highly appreciated company in the networking equipment industry destined for business enterprises. One of the reasons why they’ve become so successful is the incredibly competitive prices they offer. A great example is the UniFi UAP-AC-PROAccess Point which offers solid quality and reliable features at a very affordable price.

This access point leans on the higher end of the spectrum of the UniFi lineup from Ubiquiti. It features two radios, a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz one, for dual band. The device uses the 3×3 MIMO technology that promises some strong capabilities performance-wise.

In terms of looks, the UAP-AC-PRO’s low profile is emphasized by its saucer design that has become the standard for UniFi products. On the top of the small unit, you can find a ring that glows during the operation of the device and it can also serve as a status LED. On the bottom, there’s a removable wall-mount plate for convenient attaching to any location.

The two Gigabit LAN ports can be discovered too at the bottom of the access point. One of them represents the main port for data and power and the second one can act as an unpowered bridge port. A USB port is also integrated at the center of the device for those who want to connect a speaker attachment and have the access point also function as a PA system.

Thanks to the UniFi Controller software that helps with the management of all UniFi devices including this one, administering the UAP-AC-PRO is a breeze. With it, you can use a single system for the managing of all UniFi devices on just a single deployment. The software installs on the system and the data that comes from the devices will be easily logged on it instead of remaining within the devices themselves.

It offers incredible performance for an access point surpassing even some models with 4×4 MU-MIMO. The machine is capable of fully covering an entire house with excellent wireless signal and considering how they’re designed to be deployed in bigger quantities, your business will never experience any issues with coverage.

It is a great access point in terms of pretty much everything. It’s fast and powerful and extremely configurable. The design is also quite fitting in a business environment. Setting up one is not that complicated. Due to its small learning curve, even a typical home user should be able to get the hang of it in some time. Overall, if buying the best access point on the market is in your interest, the UAP-AC-PRO should definitely be considered as a potential solution.

The EAP350 is an interesting model by Engenius, a 2.4GHz Wireless-N access point which provides a lot of punch in terms of transmitting power. With a reasonable price tag, this device is ready to offer some great benefits for your business.

One of the first thing that captures the attention is the long range of this device. Thanks to a 29 dBm RF Tx transmit power of its high gain 5 dBi antenna, this model provides a considerably larger wireless range than its similarly priced competitors, more than twice the coverage in fact.

The EAP350 has lots of operation modes including Access Point, WDS Bridge, and WDS Access Point as well as Universal Repeater. As an access point compliant with the latest standard and offering MIMO capabilities, this device can deliver up to 300 Mbps throughput over wireless. It seems that EnGenius focused on improving connectivity capabilities and high-performance above all else. The included Gigabit Ethernet Port is also proof of that as it allows for 10x faster data transfer rates compared to a Fast Ethernet port. This makes the EAP350 ideal for streaming all kinds of multimedia files including videos, music, and applications.

Another useful aspect of this access point is the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) support which is nice for certain areas where there are no power outlets available. EnGenius provides a recommended PoE injector option though you’ll have to purchase it separately.

The software used for monitoring and managing this access point is the EZ Controller that’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The tools provided by it are quite complex and will satisfy many IT managers and network administrators to effectively maintain the wireless networks. To protect the network from access without authorization, EAP350 features industry standard WEP and WPA/WPA2 encryption settings.

The smoke detector-style design of this powerful device allows for discreet ceiling placement. It should be an ideal match for extending networks within very large buildings or expansive facilities like hotels, hospitals, or universities. The EnGenius EAP350 is one of the top picks for this list as it offers pretty much all the best features needed for an access point and all for a fair price.

Key Features:

Up To 29dbm Rf Tx Power

Speed up to 300 Mbps

SSID-to-VLAN Tagging

Standard PoE and Gigabit Port

Wireless Compatibility: 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency

Supports 802.1q mapping of SSIDs

Internal 5dBi antenna

Best Cheap/Affordable Wireless Access Point

If you’re searching the market for a more budget friendly option that’s still promising high performance and is very balanced feature-wise then maybe you should take a look at the TP-Link EAP225. This is an access point that’s quite suitable for many business environments especially when you purchase more of them to function together.

Glancing over its white sleek design we can discover many interesting features hidden away in its functional housing. It has a few handy LEDs at the top, a reset button, an important Gigabit network connector, and a helpful Kensington lock on the back. The bottom of the device is developed in such a way to be easily placed on a wall or on the ceiling. Essential accessories to mount the EAP225 everywhere you want are provided by TP-Link.

With a simple to use EAP Controller software that seems quite similar to that from Ubiquiti, this access point allows for surprisingly convenient network managing. An interesting feature enabled by the EAP225 is called band steering. The access point can determine the most suitable frequency band for any particular client. The reason why this is practical is that you can get as many devices as possible to connect to the 5GHz frequency. Additionally, you’ve got load balancing, that permits you to specify exactly how many clients should be per radio connection and what’s the minimum quality of the connection ideally.

The performance at both 2.4 GHz and at 5 GHz is satisfactory. Maybe the upload speed on 2.4 GHz is not very great but still, the general impression is a positive one. In this price bracket, it’s hard to find better results. Something worth mentioning is the efficient power consumption of this access point granted by the use of the included adapter.

The maximum speed of 867 Mbps on the 5GHz band is quite decent. Powered by the advanced 2×2 MIMO technology, this device will ensure great wireless speeds and excellent coverage. Support for PoE is another feature which adds to the overall flexibility of this access point and almost guarantees an effortless deployment. To conclude, the EAP225 access point by TP-Link is well-equipped to offer capable internet speeds for your enterprise needs and gets a lot of extra points for managing to keep the price so low.

EnGenius has many interesting products in the access point sector and a notable one for its cost-effectiveness is the ENH202. It delivers a stable wireless connection thanks to its 10 dBi high gain dual-polarized antenna and many other features worth checking out.

Using the ENH202 in pairs is an ideal way for creating point-to-point Wi-Fi bridge like for example to extend a company network to another building. This is a great use for this product as you won’t have to go through the expense of laying fiber cable and trenching over several hundred feet. The internal directional antenna is designed to provide the signal over a large distance of up to 2 miles.

The focused beam of this device works wonders when configured in Access Point mode and it’s an excellent solution for those venues or facilities where it’s critical to have a longer and more focused range. The Fast Ethernet port allows for connecting a surveillance camera to the network so that companies are able to monitor their properties constantly and keep a higher level of safety.

The wireless speeds are quite good as the ENH202 reaches up to 300 Mbps when it’s connected to another N300 wireless device on 2.4 GHz. Transfering files and HD streaming is a breeze at this speed. Thanks to 802.1q mapping of SSIDs, you can set up to four VLANs enabling a more customized wireless experience within the company – for different departments or workgroups.

Because the EnGenius ENH202 is designed for outdoor deployments, it’s no surprise to find IP65 waterproof housing which guarantees an excellent protection against rain, sleet, and moisture. The coating is specially made to resist harmful UV rays. EnGenius added a cable accessory kit which is also designed to prevent water from sneaking into the device through the cable connection.

The EZ Controller software is used for managing plenty of Access Points like this one. It offers a suite of powerful tools for IT managers and network administrators to configure and manage all aspects of their wireless networks. The software can be downloaded for free.

A very strong choice in all regards, the EnGenius ENH202 has proven that it can deliver high-performance 11n wireless speeds and that it’s able to offer great range support to cover the demanding needs of businesses. With so many balanced features, this access point is recommended for all kinds of areas especially as an outdoor deployment for more rural zones.

A revolutionary WiFi system, the UniFi combines enterprise performance with a central management controller and an unlimited level of scalability. With a refined industrial designed, the UAP-AC-LR by Ubiquiti Networks is part of this lineup of high-performance access points that can be installed quickly and effortlessly with the included mounting hardware.

The unit features the latest cutting edge MIMO technology and is designed to be used indoors. The speeds offered are more than decent, up to 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and approximately 867 Mbps on the bigger 5 GHz band.

In terms of exterior design, this Ubiquiti access point has the same low profile and immaculate white look that can be found in other products from the UniFi lineup. On the front you have the same glowing LED that aids in seeing the current status of the device. On the bottom, you can find the ceiling mount because the UAP-AC-LR is meant to be mounted to a drywall. Somewhere near the twist locking device used for mounting you can also discover the 10/100/1000 Gbps Ethernet port for routing the cable to the device.

I found the performance of this access point to be slightly weaker than expected but even if it isn’t the fastest out there, it’s still a highly resilient and configurable device. In the end, it depends on the kind of qualities you seek though reliability is usually more prized than super speeds in an enterprise environment.

From the convenience of your own desk and available through any standard web browser, the UniFi Controller software used by the UAP-AC-LR is ideal for handling high-density client deployments which demand high performance and low latency. Configuring and administering a large enterprise network can be done effortlessly with the help of a powerful software engine such as this one. There’s no special training required.

The Unifi wireless access point by Ubiquiti does a good job though it does require some more advanced knowledge to get it running optimally in your desired configuration. The degree of complexity is matched by its excellent flexibility and considering its relatively low price, this access point offers some serious value that’s probably too good to pass up.

Key Features:

Innovative antenna design

Scalable enterprise Wi-Fi management

Form Factor: external for indoors

Wireless Compatibility: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Does not require a controller

Easy to setup and use

Small and sleek design

Best Wireless Access Point for Business

Boasting a rich feature set and efficiently combining speedy throughput with easy-to-configure clustering, the Linksys LAPAC 2600 is built for extreme performance in any professional environment. For those with bigger budgets looking for the ideal addition to a growing network, this access point seems to be a solid option.

LAPAC 2600 has two gigabit LAN connections, one that supports PoE and they can be used to easily connect to your small business router. Due to the PoE capability, you can get rid of the need to have the device mounted close to a power outlet. Keep in mind that you are required to have enough space to run some Ethernet cable, a dropped ceiling for example.

The top of the device has one LED that accomplishes multiple purposes as it indicates the current status of the unit through color and blink rate. On the bottom, you can find a reset button strategically placed to be a bit harder to access.

The performance in terms of speed seems very promising, the unit theoretically offering a combined rate of 2.53 Gbps considering both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz radio. Taking this into account, it is quite well-suited to handle high-bandwidth activities like video conferencing and cloud storage.

Configuring the access point is rather straightforward though some more advanced knowledge is required. The user interface is simple to navigate through and a Quick Start wizard will help you initially to get the hang of the basic setup options.

One interesting feature of this access point is called packet capture which can come very handy in tracking down troublesome traffic. Finding what’s causing speed issues on the network is facilitated significantly this way. Security-wise, the LAPAC 2600 is configurable in multiple ways because it provides support for lots of security standards including WEP and WPA/WPA2. Network administrators can enable Quality of Service on those traffic times they consider more important.

Captive Portal is another great ability of this access point as it can route guests of your network to a special web page where they will be required to authenticate before connecting to the Internet. Clustering is also present in this access point, helpful for managing more devices like this one from a single point of control. For the money spent on this, you can get a solid access point for comfortably enhancing your business network and that’s why the Linksys LAPAC 2600 is a strongly recommended option.

Finding the right solution for expanding your existing network it’s not always easy but a powerful access point like the EnGenius ECB350 is highly capable of providing that extra bandwidth required to support more users. A very feature-rich option for the money, this device scores high on reliability and overall quality.

Promising speeds of up to 300 Mbps and an increased wireless range thanks to its 29 dBm RF Tx external antenna, the ECB350 delivers superior throughput and performance. In fact, it can offer up to six times faster speeds and seven times more coverage when compared to lower-power, legacy 802.11g access points. To meet the continuous demands of evolving business, this model has eight different operation modes. Thanks to MIMO and the enhanced receive sensitivity, many client devices can benefit from extended connectivity even in more challenging areas.

As the antenna array significantly increases the wireless range, this means that the number of access points needed for deployment can be reduced over large properties. Another positive effect is how roaming clients no longer need to constantly re-associate to other access points found on the property or in the building. The Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capability of the ECB350 ensures easier deployments near a ceiling or in spaces where access to power outlets is not easily available. A PoE injector is required and has to be purchased separately.

In terms of security, this access point features all the standard encryption settings such as WEP and WPA/WPA2 which will protect your network from any unauthorized access. There’s also support for EEE 802.1x Supplicant function to authenticate users to a RADIUS server when in Client Bridge operating mode. Another interesting aspect is the MAC address filtering which only allows MAC address-recognized client devices to connect to the network and thus isolates all the other unauthorized devices.

Managing the EnGenius ECB350 can be done using the included EnGenius Zone Controller software which makes use of a diverse suite of powerful tools in the hands of IT managers and network administrators. Access Points and Client Bridges are configurable and monitored from a single central point.

A fine device from any conceivable point of view, the EnGenius ECB350 will be a great companion for taking your Wi-Fi network to the next level. At this price level, your business has a lot to gain from this power-packed access point with a large penetrating wireless-n speed and therefore this access point is a strong recommendation.

One of the best ways to make your clients more comfortable nowadays is by providing quality Wi-Fi. With the right hardware, this job can be efficiently achieved. An access point like the Netgear WAC510 seems to be well suited for most kinds of businesses as it delivers decent performance at a reasonable price.

The design of this access point is nothing that really stands out but that’s a good thing as you can place wherever it offers the best wireless signal and it can blend easily with most surroundings. One of the many advantages of the WAC510 is the installing of the device which can be done without too much hassle. Setting up the access point through the web interface is pretty straightforward but there’s also another way – through Netgear’s Insight App.

This app represents a solid advantage for this access point over its competitors. Through it you are able to know precisely how many users are online, the total amount of data being used and other useful info. There’s also the ability to see if you have users who returned, you can spot the new users and highlight those devices that are consuming considerably larger amounts of data than others.

The WAC510 has the captive portal feature, a great tool for managing newcomers to your network. When the users connect initially, they will be greeted by a screen where they are made aware of certain rules and conditions which you might impose. For preventing users from abusing the network’s bandwidth there is also an option to set some device specific limits to it. Usage can be tracked individually (and anonymously) for more control over the implementation of your rules.

Performance-wise, the WAC510 won’t disappoint as it uses the latest standard available of the second generation of 802.11ac Wi-Fi. With an aggregate throughput of approximately 1.2 Gbps, all your speed issues will disappear. The MU-MIMO technology contributes to decongesting the network and guaranteeing the highest performance in moments of intense usage from lots of clients such as public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Making a complicated system simpler looks like one of the primary jobs of the Netgear WAC510. An ideal network solution for the money, the final verdict for this device is definitely a positive one. It is especially recommended for handling a large public network with ease.

Another great product that deserves a spot on this list is the DEBBIECTY Comfast E325N which ensures a stable wireless network and is geared toward users with slightly lower budgets. Despite that, there are hardly any compromises in terms of performance and features.

Among the highlights for this access point, we can count the main ones as being the transmission rate of 300 Mbps, the PoE power supply technology, and the Watchdog chipset. The easy mount design could also be considered a good selling point as the device should nicely fit in most business environments and it can be attached to any wall or any ceiling surface.

Deployment is made more effortless and flexible thanks to the PoE capability as the E325N is able to carry out the required power supply along with the data transmission over just one web cable. Wide coverage is ensured by the two 3dBi built-in high gain external antennas which make the access point more reliable when a greater amount of devices are simultaneously connected.

The E325N is an indoor access point destined for wireless coverage of many different types of enterprises, hotels, and schools. It has two Ethernet ports, a 10M/100M LAN one and a 10M/100M WLAN port to meet varied network demands.

Something that’s easy to notice at a first glance, is the thin appearance of the access point, the Comfast E325N has a very sleek look with a colorful hexagon indicator light through. The materials seem of high-quality and the details of the design combined with an exquisite finish add a lot of elegance to your existing decor.

Cutting edge technology offered by the Watchdog Chip is readily available in this wireless device. Some of its features are the automatic recovery of any abnormal problems, intelligent restarting, automatic maintenance, and optimization. It’s also worth noting that the E325N comes with lightning protection and increased stabilization.

Taking into consideration all these features, the Comfast is a capable MIMO access point which delivers decent speeds and a long wireless coverage has a lot of potential in the Wi-Fi networking industry. Also, due to its and business-oriented design and the hassle-free installation, this is hands-down one of the best access points money can buy.

Another Linksys access point that seems extremely promising is the LAPAC 1200. It’s a dual band model intended for making a significant upgrade to the Wi-Fi network in your place of business. It comes with a pretty large list of features and it definitely looks like a solid investment for an access point. It may not be as advanced as the LAPAC 2600 but it can still pack a punch.

Suited for smaller to medium-sized offices, this access point should meet your expectations in terms of speed thanks to its Wireless-AC technology which is considerably faster than a basic Wireless-N connection. Lag times are tremendously reduced for some of the more demanding activities in terms of bandwidth such as video conferences for example.

The LAPAC 1200 features two wireless bands, a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz one which together can reach data transfer rates of 1.2 Gbps. Certain enhancements like the wider 80 MHz channels will allow for greater data bandwidth during operations in the 5 GHz band which is usually not as crowded.

One of the most interesting aspects of this wireless access point lies in its ability to manage multiple devices like this one conveniently from just a single point of control. This is called Clustering and it will potentially reduce costs while at the same time simplify the constant management process of the access points. Additionally, Linksys made some solid improvements to the web administrative interface giving it a more intuitive feel so the installation process is very straightforward.

Another strong capability of this access point is the PoE+ technology that can let both electrical power and data pass through a single Ethernet cable en route to the device. Worth mentioning is also the Captive Portal feature for enabling better guest control and customized access Wi-Fi hotspots. The access point value bundle is rounded up by the most advanced security protocols for helping administrators keep the network safe.

An extremely balanced choice, the Linksys LAPAC 1200 is proving to be a valuable addition to any business office or any other kind of building where a Wi-Fi network can become easily congested. In this price bracket, you can’t really find a better-suited option to effectively handle your demanding high-speed and high-coverage Internet needs.